Endocrine disorders in men infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Adrian S. Dobs, Michael A. Dempsey, Paul W. Ladenson, B. Frank Polk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

343 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gonadal, adrenal, and thyroid functions were evaluated in 70 men seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, clinically categorized as asymptomatic (n = 19), AIDS-related complex (ARC) (n = 9), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (n = 42). Twenty of 40 men (50 percent) with AIDS were hypogonadal. Mean serum testosterone concentrations in both ARC (292 ± 70 ng/dl) and AIDS (401 ± 30 ng/dl) men were significantly less than in asymptomatic (567 ± 49 ng/dl) or normal men (608 ± 121 ng/dl). Of these hypogonadal men, 18 of 24 (75 percent) had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Seven of eight hypogonadal men (88 percent) had a normal gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration. Hypogonadism correlated with lymphocyte depletion and weight loss. Adrenal cortisol reserve, evaluated by adrenocorticotropin stimulation, was normal in 36 of 39 patients (92 percent) with AIDS. Indices of thyroid function were normal with the exception of one ARC man with a low free thyroxine index. In conclusion, hypogonadism is common in men with HIV infection and may be the first or most sensitive endocrine abnormality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)611-616
Number of pages6
JournalThe American journal of medicine
Volume84
Issue number3 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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